[NABS-L] Fw: YouTube Video Tests Lyft’s Commitment to Transport Service Animals

[Shane Popplestone]

I received the following from Advocates for Service Animal Partners 
(asap) and am passing it along. Please read and as appropriate take the 
actions they suggest.

Shane Popplestone
President of the Ohio Association of blind students
Co-chair of the ohio newsline committee
member of the Grater Akron Chapter
member of Ohio Association of Guide Dog users
spopplestone.nfb at gmail.com
234-716-2208
You can live the life you want!


------ Forwarded Message ------
>From "Advocates for Service Animal Partners (ASAP)" 
<advocacy411 at gmail.com>
To "Advocates for Service Animal Partners" <Advocacy411 at gmail.com>
Date 9/18/2023 1:56:22 PM
Subject YouTube Video Tests Lyft’s Commitment to Transport Service 
Animals

Please circulate the following message as widely as appropriate.

A new YouTube video published by a self-described Rideshare expert will 
test Lyft’s commitment to complying with state and federal law while 
upholding its driver terms and conditions. In this offensive video, a 
Lyft driver expresses his opposition to transporting service animals by 
contending that “Lyft forces drivers to transport service animals”. The 
fact this ignorant, ablest rant misses is that it is not Lyft requiring 
this driver to transport us with our service animals. It is state and 
federal law!

In addition to demonstrating his willingness to violate our legally 
protected civil rights and encourage others to do so, what he asserts 
are the same lies and misinformation that lie at the heart of our 
struggles for equal participation in society on terms of equality. He 
asserts service animals are dirty and smelly, leaving dog hair all over 
the vehicle, licking the backs of the seats and drooling on the floor. 
He contends carrying service animals “does not make good business 
sense”. It is our hope that you will join us to tell Lyft and this fool 
that violating our civil rights is what does not make good business 
sense!

Finally, this individual’s ignorance is further illustrated in his 
assertions that people have brought service rabbits and snakes into his 
vehicle, asserting he is being “forced by Lyft” to transport these 
creatures. Since service animals are only dogs and, in some 
circumstances, miniature horses, the absurdity of his rant is on full 
display.

Advocates for Service Animal Partners has contacted Lyft and YouTube 
concerning this issue. We have demanded that Lyft stand in solidarity 
with service animal handlers by immediately and permanently deactivating 
this driver’s account, publicly denouncing this video, advising drivers 
that following this ill-informed advice will lead to immediate, 
permanent deactivation of the driver’s Lyft account, and advise 
Advocates for Service Animal Partners when these steps are taken so we 
can publicize it widely and send the message that we will not tolerate 
the denial of our civil rights.

We have also asked that YouTube remove the video because it violates its 
user terms and conditions by inciting and encouraging others to 
participate in illegal behavior.


WHAT YOU CAN DO

Advocates for Service Animal Partners encourages you to contact Lyft and 
send them the message that you expect them to comply with state and 
federal law and their driver terms and conditions by permanently 
deactivating this driver’s profile and publicizing the deactivation as 
widely as possible to demonstrate Lyft’s commitment to providing full 
and equal access to their vehicles by service animal handlers. You can 
submit your complaint on the Lyft app or by calling (844) 554-1927. When 
you file your complaint, be sure to give Lyft the URL below so they can 
see it for themselves!

We also urge you to go to this driver’s YouTube channel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlcGCVuxORw


There you will be able to hear the ignorance for yourself. While you are 
there, dislike the video, make your comments about how ignorant and 
misinformed this driver is in the comment section, and report the video 
to YouTube for inciting and encouraging illegal behavior.

Once you have filed your complaints, please let us know so we can have a 
handle on our network’s effectiveness. Please visit our website 
https://www.ServiceAnimals.info <https://www.serviceanimals.info>

and click on “Become a Partner”. There you will find a contact form to 
complete. Please complete this form and let us know what you have done 
on this front in the comments section. Not only will we know how our 
advocacy efforts are working, we will be able to let the public know the 
force of the service animal advocacy movement. In addition, you will be 
able to keep up with all the invaluable work of Advocates for Service 
Animal Partners, the only organization dedicated exclusively to 
securing, protecting, and advancing the civil rights of those of us who 
use service animals.

Finally, remember that Advocates for Service Animal Partners offers the 
only 24-hour hotline for service animal information. You can call 
ASAP211 by dialing 855-ASAP211 (855-272-7211). Let’s move forward 
together!

Advocates for Service Animal Partners is the only organization in the 
United States supporting, protecting, and advancing the civil rights of 
those of us who use service animals to live full, productive lives. 
Continuing and expanding this work is essential! Please consider 
supporting Advocates for Service Animal Partners by making a one-time or 
recurring gift. Simply visit

https://www.Service Animals.info/Support Us

and complete the donation form. All donations are tax-deductible under 
IRS 501c(3). While on our site, please subscribe to our email 
newsletter.

Marion Gwizdala, President/CEO